Dan Campbell: Lions are still unsure but more optimistic about David Montgomery

Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn't know if running back David Montgomery's season is over, but he's feeling better than he was at the start of the week.

Campbell, who said on Monday that he was expecting Montgomery to miss the rest of the year, said today that additional medical tests have given the Lions some reason for optimism that Montgomery could avoid injured reserve and play in the playoffs, if not in the final three games of the regular season.

"Optimistic with a couple doctors that he saw," Campbell said. "I think we may see where this thing goes. We've still got a decision to make, because even if that is the case, it's a matter of, Do you put him on IR? Do you see how fast he might come back from it? But it certainly sounds more optimistic, is probably the best way to say it."

If the Lions were to put Montgomery on injured reserve now, he'd be out at least through the wild card round of the playoffs. Despite their mounting injuries, the Lions are still currently projected as the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which would give them a bye to the divisional round. When Montgomery might just be back.